Some people think they can only get ahead by dividing us: Old against young, town against schools . . . and worse. Politics can be so mean spirited. But Scott Slifka knows we’re always better together. He works to bring leadership and direction that builds on the best in all of us.

“West Hartford has great schools, excellent public safety and a strong tax base for residents and businesses. Achieving those results takes a lot of hard work and cooperation. We have continued to get the job done because, while other politicians fight, West Hartford knows that we are better together. I ask for your vote so I can continue to help keep West Hartford a great place to work, live, learn and retire – for my family and yours.”

Scott Slifka has served as the Mayor of West Hartford since 2004. He has consistently been one of the top municipal vote getters in Connecticut.

Under Scott’s leadership, West Hartford has recently received numerous national awards, including:

Kiplinger’s Magazine: Top 10 City for the Next Decade

Kiplinger’s Magazine: Top 10 City to Raise a Family

Newsweek: Amerca’s Best High Schools

CNN/Money: Top 100 Places to Live

Travel & Leisure Magazine: America’s Coolest Suburbs

In 2009, Scott led West Hartford through the economic crisis by producing one of the few municipal budgets that cut spending, reduced the town workforce and preserved core services while working collaboratively with unions and taxpayer groups. Under Scott’s leadership, West Hartford reduced government spending by $647,000 and capital spending by $32 million.

As Mayor, Scott has maintained West Hartford’s status as one of fewer than 50 municipalities in the nation with AAA bond ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. He has been commended by the Hartford Courant for his proposal to establish a transit system dedicated to shuttling elderly, disabled and visually impaired residents that does not involve the spending of public dollars. Additionally, Scott has been recognized for his leadership in bringing the nationally acclaimed Blue Back Square development to fruition.

The youngest mayor in West Hartford’s history, Scott was previously elected to the Town Council in 2001 and 2003. Prior to becoming Mayor, he served nearly three years as Deputy Mayor. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Connecticut’s Secretary of State. Additionally, Scott was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in the 2006 Democratic primary as the running mate of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.

Growing up with a brother, Jonathan, confined to a wheelchair from the birth defect spina bifida, Scott and his family have long been dedicated to working on behalf of members of the disabled community. In 1990, his mother, Janeace, established the Ivan Lendl Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, a free summer athletic camp for disabled youth, where for many years Scott served as a volunteer.

Scott is a graduate of George Washington University and George Washington University Law School. He serves as Corporate Counsel to LEGO Systems, Inc. Scott is married to Noelle Simpson Slifka, Associate Counsel and Director of Military Contracts for Pratt & Whitney and a former captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. They reside on Grennan Road and are the proud parents of a 3 year-old daughter, Betsy.